The work does not stop at the end of February; The opening of Black Dreams and Aspirations

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“This is absolutely stunning,” I thought to myself. The hustle and bustle atmosphere, the colours… It was like stepping into a realm of pure creativity. As I took my first few steps, I scanned the room with a mix of awe and excitement.

I had made my way down to Union Station, the largest and busiest rail passenger facility in Canada, and a functioning transportation hub for: passenger, commuter and freight trains. Union Station currently handles almost 40 million passengers a year. This number is expected to double over the next 20 years. Daily ridership is approaching 160,000 and peak period arrivals at Union Station are close to 45,000. I mention all of this because what I am about to present to you is historical for the African Caribbean community.

The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper had been invited to the media launch of Black Dreams and Aspirations, a free publicly accessible art exhibition located in Canada’s largest and busiest corridor. Opening February 15^th, 2024, Toronto Union co-curated with MakeRoom Inc.  to launch the Black Dreams and Aspirations featuring special guest artist Yasin Osman.

Black Dreams and Aspirations started with an open call for artists to address the question: What does it mean to dream while Black? Union’s programming team, TD’s Art Curator, MakeRoom Inc. and guest judges: James Yeboah and Shuraine Otto-Olak, selected twelve artists for a two-part exhibition series that explores themes of: community, self-possession, connection to the past, creativity, and the power of imagination.

I was wowed as I approached each particularly striking piece of art; look at the brushwork! It was as if every stroke told a story. Each individual artist’s mastery was truly beyond words. In amazement, I moved from one masterpiece to another. The variety! Paintings, photo’s mixed media… It was a symphony of artistic expression. Each piece was a unique journey into the artist’s soul.

It was the way the artists had put their emotions into their work; it was extraordinary. At moments, I felt like I was frozen moment in time, staring at tangible manifestations of passion. I took a deep breath, absorbing the overall ambiance of the gallery.

Located in the West Wing, this first installment of the two-part series features the works of six artists: Yaw Tony, Yomi, Orimoloye, Sarah Waithe, Miss Daisy, Kahame Msiska and Segun Caezar. Their voices interconnected to share past hopes and hope for a new future. The collective artwork was visually presented as a sequence of figures, giving the feeling of a single body of work in motion. Bold colours intermingle as regal stances and dreamlike states collide to look forward and back simultaneously.

I had an opportunity to speak with Miss Daisy (budding young multimedia artist), and Kahame Msiska about their artistic journey and how they navigated the vast landscape of emotions, ideas, and experiences. Both artists’ stories harmonized around the same point; their artwork reflected their inner worlds, a unique language that allowed them to communicate with others in ways words often fail.

For Kahame Msiska, creativity is a constant exploration of the unknown, a willingness to embrace uncertainty and let go of preconceived notions. It’s about capturing the essence of a moment, a feeling. Through colours, shapes, and textures, he conveys the intangible and makes it tangible.

Becoming an artist was not a conscious decision for Miss Daisy, but rather a natural evolution of her relationship with the world. From an early age, she found solace in expressing herself visually, using art as a means to make sense of the complexities of life. It became a sanctuary where she could unravel her thoughts, untangle her emotions, and construct her own narrative.

In addition to the group series, special guest artist Yasin Osman is presenting a solo exhibition titled “Dreaming in Colour,” a poignant exploration of youth and aspiration, featuring a collection of large black and white portraits of young Black Somali children aged 11 to 16. Accompanying these striking visuals are narratives detailing their dreams and aspirations. This collection aims to honour these young people’s: resilience, hope, and untapped potential. This exhibition will be presented in the Oak Room at Union and will run the length of the exhibition.

“We wanted to create space for Black exploration, imagination, and aspiration,” shared the team at MakeRoom Inc. “The hopes we have in the past can shape our futures. The ability to create something new or better depends on our ability to imagine it. We hope everyone can see this exhibition, be inspired to dream again and believe that a better future is possible for all.” 

Union, more than a space that Canadians transit through, is also a space-maker for culture and art, and a role model in community investment for accessible public art. Union’s partnership with MakeRoom Inc was born out of a shared mission to create spaces for local artists that are inclusive and diverse. Union’s commitment to supporting Black artists is a programmatic mandate all year long.

“Union is passionate about reflecting the diversity of Canadians through our multidisciplinary programming vision,” highlights Syma Shah, Executive Director of Programming. “This vision encourages and celebrates creativity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility through our free year-round events that showcase Toronto’s cultural scene. Our goal with this exhibition is to highlight Black voices in the busiest transportation hub in the country. As you visit Union, we highly recommend you take in the message of this powerful exhibition.”

Michael Armstrong, Vice President, Brand, Sponsorship and North American Brand Management, speaks to the exhibit being sponsored by TD Bank Group (TD).

“To be able to support artists from Black communities, share their work and celebrate their talent and culture, embodies our commitment to diversity and inclusion at TD. This exhibit is meant to provide daily commuters and visitors of the city the opportunity to experience some moving artwork created from a different perspective – not just for Black History Month, but beyond the month to symbolize that the work does not stop at the end of February.” 

Art has the power to transcend boundaries and connect people on a profound level. It serves as a universal language that can convey emotions and messages that words alone cannot capture. Through artwork, these artists hope to inspire, provoke thought, and foster a sense of shared humanity.

Being an artist is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing visuals; it’s about contributing to the ever-expanding tapestry of human expression. It’s about embracing vulnerability, taking risks, and inviting others to join on a visual and emotional adventure. Art is our community’s voice, and through it, we strive to leave a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of those who encounter our creations.

The exhibition is open daily during station operation hours and is located on the ground level in the West Wing and Oak Room.

Admission is free. For more information visit torontounion.ca